The main focus of the bureaucratic style of prison management is to expand prisons and keep them in perpetual existence. This style of management is characterized by a rigid hierarchy. The higher up the hierarchy a person is, the more power they wield. Bureaucrats strive to increase their power and prestige by rising up the ranks. They can only do so if the system continues to absorb more inmates. Therefore, the primary focus of the bureaucratic style of prison management is to ensure the growth and continuity of the prison system.
The success of this prison management style is measured by the number and length of convictions. The system is successful when more people are incarcerated and when prisoners receive longer sentences (Swearingen, 2017). This is evident by the exponential growth of America’s prison population over the years. In addition to this, an increased number of actions have now been criminalized. This increase in litigation ensures that prisons continue to grow. In turn, the growth of prisons ensures that the budget for prisons also grows. The pursuit for power and profit is done at all expenses, even the freedom of some people. Ultimately, similar to all forms of bureaucracy, the bureaucratic style of prison management has systems in place to ensure its continuity.
When prisons are run through bureaucratic management, the reform of prisoners is not a priority. In fact, the primary focus is to get more prisoners to ensure the system is always engaged. Prisons are operated like profit ventures and sources of prestige for the bureaucrats. The people who benefit from this style of prison management include prison staff, judges, legislators, and government lobbyists. It is critical to question the primary objective of the bureaucratic style of prison management and whether it benefits incarcerated people.
Reference
Swearingen, V. (2017). The prison conditions cases and the bureaucratization of American corrections: Influences, impacts and implications. In Crime, Law and Society, 253-296. Routledge.